My studio is filled with barely started, half-finished, or demonstration models, plus a few worn-out-from-over-use icons. After nearly two decades of almost continuous writing of holy icons, I have been feeling it is time to rescue these poor creatures and give them a new lease of life. Feeling completely overwhelmed by the number of them, after some careful evaluation and noting of flaws, I have spent this past year making a start. I must have made a good decision here, because the work is progressing at a rate, so I have a lot to showcase, hence resurrecting my blog to introduce or reintroduce them to the world.
Angel with the Golden Hair
The original icon is presumed to be representative of Archangel Gabriel and is just the head and shoulders. Being in love with the natural world around me I included a few creatures and some inspiration for illuminated manuscripts to embellish the icon. Such behaviour is probably frowned upon by purists of iconography but I so delight in the small creatures I co-inhabit the world with, I won't be told. Besides, this icon is my dearest friend and has been by my side and hovering over my desk for almost 18 years now.
My Original Angel
My original angel was getting a little faded and I had originally used platinum for the halo which was starting to peel away and some of the tempera had been damaged. I found out how plantium was mined shortly afterwards and will never use it again. I am always amazed at how enduring tempera is, though. Here is how she used to look before the damage set in. (most of the platinum had cracked and a third had peeled off completely- I don't have any photos of the poor state - to save my angelic friend embarrassment in public).
This young looking original angel seems to have been reimagined into a more mature and autumnal feeling personage of the main photo. Obviously, I have regilded and decorated the halo and my little creatures are still lurking in their accustomed habitats.
Some Spiritual Noticing About Creation
Reimagining old icons is nerve wracking - it takes some courage to go in there and make necessary changes. One worries about destroying something that may have been of value and not being able to regain it. But that is just fear and I won't allow myself to indulge in such a useless pasttime otherwise inertia sets in and nothing moves on. Creation is a continually evolving process. Holding on to the past stifles growth and keeps us from seeing from a new perspective and allowing us to reflect on what was but is now past. I have felt a new inner strength from the process of remodelling this icon so personal to me. The process itself was filled with letting go, and daring to reimagine and yet somehow the essence remains and the result is the embodiment of a special evolution - not just the icon but of my own soul journey.
More to Come
I have a room full of reworked and completed icons to share with you over the coming year and I hope you enjoy them as myuch as I have working on them.
Next post is about the remimagining of my St Luke icon- the second one I painted when learning the craft of iconography. He fell off the wall and cried out to be loved.
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